She Plays Music Top 10 Female Guitarists of All Time

by dng on April 28th, 2008

Choosing a list of favorite or best female guitarist isn’t easy. There’s lots of talent out there to choose from, despite the absence of women on many of the male-dominated lists of talented musicians. Though lists like these are highly subjective, we think we did a good job of picking the best of the best. I give you She Plays Music’s

Top 10 Female Guitarists of All Time

1. Nancy Wilson

I’ve been a Heart fan since the 70’s mostly because I wanted to play guitar just like Nancy Wilson. Whether it’s a kickass solo or a quiet ballad, Nancy doesn’t disappoint. She proved women can lead a rockin’ band and held her own against some of her male counterparts.

2. Bonnie Raitt

The daughter of stage and screen actor, John Raitt, Bonnie Raitt is one of the best blues guitarists around - male or female. She can slide with the best of them and still sounds as sexy as she did 25 years ago. Rock on, Bonnie.

3. Charo

Don’t laugh. Charo isn’t just a regular on Love Boat or television variety shows, she’s also a master, award winning, classically trained Latin guitarist. If you haven’t seen Charo play, check her out and be prepared to be blown away.

4. Liona Boyd

Classically trained Liona Boyd isn’t called the “First Lady of the Guitar” for nothing. Playing since she was 13, Liona’s probably the best guitarist yoiu never heard of.

5. Kaki King

Though Kaki King played guitar at a young age, her first love was the drums. She didn’t begin to get serious about guitar until college and got her start playing in the New York City subway for change. Fortunately for us, she came out into the daylight, and the rest is history.

6. Anna Popvic

Touted as the “Female Jimi Hendrix” this Serbian beauty is more than just a pretty face. She was introduced to the blues by her father, a major collector. She formed her first band at 19, studied jazz, and was a major player in the Amsterdam blues scene. With five critically acclaimed albums it’s only a matter of time before Anna bursts into the mainstream.

7. Susan Tedeschi

Before Susan Tedeschi entered the Berklee College of Music, she was performing in musicals in her Massachusetts hometown. It wasn’t long before she was opening for acts like John Mellecamp, The Allman Brothers Band and B.B.King. Watch the video above and you’ll agree she earned every one of her three Grammies.

8. Jennifer Batten

Originally playing guitar for Michael Jackson, Jennifer Batten caught the attention of Jeff Beck and he asked her to be in his band. Though she plays backup for Beck and many other notable artists, Jennifer does have two solo albums out - the second of which should be released in the United States soon.

9. Lita Ford

Lita Ford grew out of the teen rock act, The Runaways, to become the heavy metal darling of the ’80’s. In an era dominated by men, she kicked major butt and inspired many girls to pick up a guitar.

10. Joan Jett

Lita’s bandmate in The Runaways Joan Jett broke out in the late ’70’s with her hit “I Love Rock ‘N Roll”. With her low slung guitar and her tight leathers Joan proved she was as badass as the boys and didn’t care who knew it.

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